〜軒(けん)

けん
counter
counter for houses, buildings
See also: ～軒(けん) (counter: houses (variant))
1. counter for houses, buildings, shops
Used to count houses, buildings, and establishments.
一軒家(いっけんや)に住(す)んでいる。
I live in a detached house.
この通(とお)りには店(みせ)が三(さん)軒(けん)ある。
There are three shops on this street.
何軒(なんけん)のレストランを回(まわ)った？
How many restaurants did you go to?
駅前(えきまえ)に居酒屋(いざかや)が何軒(なんけん)も並(なら)んでいる。
There are many izakaya lined up in front of the station.
あの商店街(しょうてんがい)には昔(むかし)ながらの店(みせ)が二十(にじっ)軒(けん)ほど並(なら)んでいて、休日(きゅうじつ)はいつもにぎわっている。
In that shopping street, about twenty traditional shops line up, and it's always bustling on holidays.

〜軒(けん) is the counter for houses, shops, restaurants, and other establishments.

WHAT IT COUNTS:

  • Houses, buildings
  • Shops, stores, restaurants
  • Bars, cafes, businesses

COUNTING (note sound changes):

  • 一軒(いっけん): 1 (gemination)
  • 二軒(にけん): 2
  • 三軒(さんげん): 3 (voiced)
  • 四軒(よんけん): 4
  • 何軒(なんけん): how many?

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 一軒家(いっけんや): detached house (single-family home)
  • 二軒隣(にけんどなり): two doors down
  • 居酒屋(いざかや)を何軒(なんけん)も回(まわ)る: to go bar-hopping

NOTE:
軒(のき) (eaves) uses a different reading of the same kanji.

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Added 2026.1.9 21:25 · Revised 2026.3.18 12:35
01500/01993_ken